One of the challenging aspects of being overweight or obese for a woman can be the struggle to conceive. Morbid obesity can lead to infertility as well as menstrual irregularities. Fertility concerns may include potential miscarriage, minimal success with fertility treatments, and PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Classic symptoms of PCOS include obesity, irregular menstrual cycles, and problem of infertility. Bariatric surgery is an effective intervention to treat obesity, and subsequently improve a woman’s reproductive health and chances of pregnancy.

Hard working and committed bariatric surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre provides weight loss procedures to patients in Orlando, Tampa, Altamonte Springs, Central Florida, and surrounding communities in this part of the superlative state of Florida.

Bariatric Surgery and Fertility

Bariatric surgery is a safe and proven way to improve or resolve symptoms that could interfere with pregnancy, such as high blood pressure and PCOS. This surgical procedure also lessens the weight on reproductive organs and impacts other physiological changes that may be affecting fertility.

A surgeon may request female bariatric patients to take precautions and prevent pregnancy during the first year following the weight loss surgery. It is vital to determine any changes in fertility after the surgery and restore full reproductive health before going ahead with a pregnancy.

A recent research study of women after bariatric surgery revealed improvement of multiple clinical problems related to PCOS and infertility. All participants in the study continued to have regular menstrual cycles over three months after the surgery. In overweight women, as little as five percent weight loss may restore ovulation and fertility.

Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Reproductive Health

Research studies have repeatedly shown that bariatric surgery is effective in restoring fertility and ovulation in obese women of reproductive age. Moreover, when compared to other obese women, the ones who have had bariatric surgery show diminished risk for obstetric complications along with better neonatal outcomes.

BMI before the surgery is not predictive of the reproductive success rate, which indicates that the impact of obesity on fertility could be completely reversible in women who undergo bariatric surgery. A study has reported high pregnancy rates among women receiving IVF treatment after bariatric surgery. Another study reported reduction in miscarriages in women who had previously received a bariatric procedure.

Research also shows that there could be preventative effects on transmission of obesity to the children of morbidly obese mothers who receive bariatric surgery before conception.

Bariatric surgery is seen to be particularly beneficial to women suffering from the symptoms of PCOS. Studies focusing on bariatric surgery for women with PCOS reveal that it is typical for the patients to achieve spontaneous ovulation. Many of the women experience full restoration of regular menstrual function after the surgery. The majority of women that were infertile before the surgery, are subsequently able to conceive as well as sustain their pregnancy successfully and may not even require any additional fertility treatments. Cordial and tremendous bariatric surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre receives patients from Orlando, Tampa, Altamonte Springs, Central Florida, and other cities and towns in this region of the southeast for weight loss surgery.

Important Note: If the weight is regained, diabetes and other conditions could return.